Man arrested with recalibrated weapon and ammunition in sports bag

A man caught with a gun and ammunition after previously being involved in a drive-by shooting has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison.

Steven McGarry was stopped by police in an Audi Q5 near Rangers’ Ibrox stadium in January this year.

The 37-year-old’s two-bedroom house in Paisley was subsequently searched by police.

Officers then discovered the weapon and 15 rounds of ammunition hidden in an Under Armour sports bag in a closet.

The firearm was a Grand Power pistol of Slovakian manufacture, which was originally designed to fire blank cartridges, such as flares.

However, at some point it had been modified to fire potentially lethal 9mm bullets.

McGarry was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison at the High Court in Glasgow after pleading guilty to a series of firearms offences last month.

During the hearing, it was explained that a “desperate” McGarry returned to crime after his release from prison due to the failure of a planned business venture.

In 2021, he was sentenced to 44 months in prison for his role as a getaway driver in a shooting at a home in Stepps.

McGarry was arrested for this crime after the stolen vehicle – also an Audi – was found parked in front of the apartment where he had been living.

Referring to the latest offence, prosecutor Chris McKenna explained that McGarry initially claimed he lived in Govan when he was stopped in the city’s Edmiston Drive on January 17.

However, it turned out that he had stayed in Paisley instead and had the keys to the property with him.

After the firearm was found, forensic examinations were carried out.

Mr McKenna said: “DNA consistent with McGarry was found on several parts of the gun.

“This included the grip, trigger, magazine release, hammer, sight, trigger and the inside surface of the frame.”

The deputy attorney added that the weapon was “functional” in both fully and semi-automatic firing modes.

McGarry pleaded guilty to six charges under the Firearms Act, including possession of a pistol and ammunition.

Defence lawyer Tony Lenehan KC said McGarry had had “high hopes” for “better things” when he got out of prison.

However, his plans to start his own business were thwarted by financial problems.

The lawyer said McGarry then took “a step backward rather than a step forward” by taking the gun for cash.

Mr Lenehan said: “He retains the ambition to live a pro-social life, but he makes life harder for himself when he makes a stupid decision.”

In sentencing, Lady Hood said McGarry had stated in a pre-sentence report that he had “borrowed” cash for his business venture, which was then seized.

The judge: “You said you were desperate and kept the gun and ammunition for the money.”

Moira Orr, head of the Serious Crime Unit at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “This was an important recovery of a weapon with the potential to cause significant harm.”

“This weapon has now been decommissioned and Steven McGarry will serve a prison sentence for his crimes.

“This case underlines our determination to continue to work with the police and other authorities to ensure that these crimes are uncovered and those responsible are prosecuted using all the means at our disposal.”